Prakash Jha would love to direct Hollywood film rooted in India

Mumbai: Filmmaker Prakash Jha says he is open to directing a Hollywood film rooted in India. Jha, who has helmed socio-political films like 'Gangaajal', 'Apaharan' and 'Raajneeti', feels it is difficult to direct a movie which is based in a territory he is not familiar with.

"My films are rooted here. So, somebody has to give me a script which I feel comfortable with. It's difficult for me to write a script which is rooted elsewhere. Like, if there is a Hollywood kind of script rooted in India, I would definitely like to do it," Jha told PTI.

The director says if the characters are sub-continental, then it becomes easier for him to guide his script, unlike if they are entirely set in America.

"If there's an Indian story... Like the Hollywood film 'Gandhi', I could've done it. I did 'Rajneeti', which was as big as 'Gandhi' in terms of its scale. But to set a story in America? I don't know that society," he said.

Jha is ready with his directorial venture 'Jai Gangaajal', set to release on March 4. The film stars Priyanka Chopra as IPS officer Abha Mathur, who takes on some powerful and influential men in her district.

'Jai Gangaajal' will also mark the acting debut of Jha in the role of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bhola Nath Singh.

The 64-year-old director said for a while he was talking to various DSPs for the character, and it was then the thought dawned on him that he could play it himself.

Jha is open to acting in more films as he would like to now 'expand' his horizon.